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Friday, June 26, 2015

I don't know about you, but I don't have a lot of wrapping paper, bows and ribbons. I only have one roll of wrapping paper so I don't need no fancy organizing contraptions. I just need my one itty bitty roll of wrapping paper to stay pretty.Like the title says, toilet paper roll saves wrapping paper.

I used to just put the roll of wrapping paper leaning against the back of the closet. But that turned out badly for the paper. It would eventually unroll, get ripped and wrinkled. Pretty much nothing more than fill for my recycling box. Or paper for a modge podge project. Which is fine and dandy for crafting but doesn't do any good when I need to wrap a gift.I tried putting hair elastics on the roll of paper. That's what we used to do as kids to get our large paper projects home from school. It seemed to work out fine back then.Ya, it worked as a temporary solution but no good for long term. I guess the elastic created pressure points from which the paper tends to rip then unroll yadda yadda yadda. (I can't believe I said that. I never say that.)You know tape is no better. I don't understand why the manufacturers even put tape on rolls of wrapping paper. It's just no right.Then one day, it just popped in my head.Boing.Cut a toilet paper roll length wise and just snap it into place. As per image. I tend to put three rolls on my wrapping paper - one on each end and one in the middle. Perfectomundo.Ya. So I thought I would share that little tidbit with you. In case you have a roll of wrapping paper you want to save for you know wrapping not crafting.POST A COMMENT

I love to read your opinions and comments. It makes my day.

Bye for now. Wishing you the best, Darlene

My apologies, all anonymous comments are deleted due to an excessive amount of spam.

We are looking for co-hosts for each month! If you would like to have some fun with us, let us know!

I hope you will consider following your hosts.

It's a nice gesture, though not required :)

Your hostesses will announce on the first Friday of each month what the crafting challenge is - typically this will be a common item found in or around your home - you must use this item in your creation.

You then have until the last Friday of the month to complete your project and link it up below. You may link up a previously completed craft but we hope you will be inspired to create something new!

The Upcoming Material Challenges:

July: Twigs (Something from Nature)

August: Food Cans

September – dishes/glass/plastic/metal

October – broken jewelry

November – margarine/cool whip bowls

December – unique wreath

RULES:1. Use the material we are currently challenging: toilet paper rolls.2. Make sure the project is reused, recycled, or upcycled.3. Come back as many times as you want ; the party lasts the entire month.4. Link up your own projects.5. Have fun creating your Craft Challenge project

Sunday, June 21, 2015

I've always thought it strange that someone could go through their whole life without a single hobby.I actually know a couple of people who don't have one. Maybe it isn't necessarily that they don't have a hobby, but they don't seem to have any particular interests to occupy their time and minds. Nothing that they like to do that helps them clear their heads and rejuvenate their souls.

What Are Your Hobbies?

What is it that you enjoy doing? Perhaps it's running? Baking? Sewing?

I personally have to do something. Through the years my interests and "hobbies" have changed but there has always been something.

I use to love reading and went through all the Anne Rice and Stephen King books I could get my hands on. But then I found it difficult to find quite time with three little girls bouncing around.

I use to love painting - in acrylics - landscapes and portraits. But it also turned out to be a difficult hobby with wee ones.

At this point in my life crocheting is my fav. I can crochet just about any where at any time. Unfortunately for me, one hobby just isn't enough.

I was feeling a little lost and needed something more. So of course I went online - just browsing. Then I came across some pretty pictures - doodles - tangles - in black and white.

I immediately knew that I found something I would love to do.

All I need is a sketchbook and black markers. A hobby that doesn't take up much space or cost much money. I could get these items at a dollar store. It cost three dollars for the book and one dollar for the marker. Plus, I can do this with my grandchildren. Now we get out our sketch books and draw. Draw and color together.

Mind you I realize that at some point I may want to invest in better paper and markers. But for now I found my creative outlet. I found something relaxing and fun. Something a little different than my usual sketching.

The Benefits of a Hobby

Physical activities have obvious benefits. But what about the other kind interests like crocheting?

There are some very wonderful benefits. Hobbies are a means to finding happiness, an overall sense of well being and reduce stress.

Fun

Positive psychology is a relatively new branch that studies what makes life worthwhile. They discovered that activities which bring fun into your life is a good way to relax and to live in the moment which provides an over all sense of well being and happiness.

Good Stress

Hobbies promote Eustress which is a positive kind of stress created at times of great enthusiasm. Hobbies are a great way to create Eustress because you are doing something you love to do and it makes you feel excited.

Gratification

Gratification is also a part of positive psychology. If you are like me, I enjoy activities that make me feel productive - like I have accomplished something other wise I feel like I am wasting my time. Knowing that I will have a completed project of some kind gives me a fantastic feeling of achievement which equates to happiness.

Staying In the Moment

A hobby can engage you in a sense of flow, which can put you in a near-meditative state.

I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. It's the kind of activity where you lose track of time and before you know it hours have passed by. You are concentrating so much in what you are doing that everything else (including stress) disappears. The end result is feeling less stressed out and feeling over all pleased with life. Happy!

Hobbies Help Prevent Burn Out

What is burn out? Well it's the result of stress. If you are feeling overwhelmed at work, a hobby gives you something non work related to look forward to and it relieves stress. Your hobby may be the one thing that reduces theimpact of chronic stress.

Health Benefits of Hobbies

Hobbies are great for the body. Research has found that leisure time fun activities are associated with lower blood pressure, total cortisol, waist circumference, and body mass index.

Hobbies are great for the mind. There is also a relationship between enjoyable activities and an increase in a positive outlook -reducing levels of depression.

Hobbies Promote Socializing

Hobbies can bring people together. Even if your hobby is meant for one person, there are groups out there composed of others who also enjoy that activity. Connecting with people in a fun way relieves stress and contributes to your overall happiness.

Now we know why I have been so desperate to find a new hobby. I need something to to get me in the zone - flow (refer Mihály Csíkszentmihályi's concept of "flow") - to decrease stress and depression - to increase my positive outlook - - to make me feel HAPPY.

So next time someone you know is feeling stressed or down, ask them what is their hobby. What do you do for fun? Then tell them to get out there and get a hobby!

FeaturedThank you so much Stella for picking my post to feature at Two Uses Tuesday.This is what she said, "Looking for a hobby for some happy time? Darlene shares with us some of her past hobbies and how you can relieve stress with them."

This is what they had to say at Meandering Mondays: "My favorite post came from Let It Shine with the post Relieve Stress and Find Your Happy Place! I definitely find reading books and listening to music quickly puts me in my happy place! I generally choose a good historical romance novel, but lately I have picked up a few biographies as well. Music changes with my mood, one day I may want to listen to hard rock, and other days might merit classical with an electric flair. They definitely give me a way to distress and relax. Thank you so much for sharing!"

POST A COMMENT

I love to read your opinions and comments. It makes my day.

My apologies, all anonymous comments are deleted due to an excessive amount of spam.

I'm finally finished and ready to share.Last week I showed you my adorable crocheted butterflies (HERE). This week I'm showing you what they were made for.It's a purse. A little girl's purse made with a rainbow of colors and an assortment of dangly do hickeys. I have beads galore and lacy fringe. And an adjustable strap.What more could a girl ask for?

POST A COMMENT

I love to read your opinions and comments. It makes my day.

My apologies, all anonymous comments are deleted due to an excessive amount of spam.

We are looking for co-hosts for each month! If you would like to have some fun with us, let us know!

I hope you will consider following your hosts.

It's a nice gesture, though not required :)

Your hostesses will announce on the first Friday of each month what the crafting challenge is - typically this will be a common item found in or around your home - you must use this item in your creation.

You then have until the last Friday of the month to complete your project and link it up below. You may link up a previously completed craft but we hope you will be inspired to create something new!

The Upcoming Material Challenges:

July: Twigs (Something from Nature)

August: Food Cans

September – dishes/glass/plastic/metal

October – broken jewelry

November – margarine/cool whip bowls

December – unique wreath

RULES:1. Use the material we are currently challenging: flatware/silverware (+ anything from the kitchen)2. Make sure the project is reused, recycled, or upcycled.3. Come back as many times as you want (with cardboard); the party lasts the entire month.4. Link up your own projects.5. Have fun creating your Craft Challenge project